Pollution Liability Insurance Protects Contractors from Hazardous Waste Claims

Pollution liability insurance protects companies against liability claims stemming from damage caused by hazardous waste materials. It is needed by businesses that produce hazardous waste emissions during manufacturing. The types of companies that should purchase pollution liability coverage include:

• General contractors, including commercial, residential, municipal, highway/road contractors, maintenance, mechanical, demolition, industrial, excavation, grading
• Trade contractors, including HVAC, paving, carpentry and concrete
• Specialty contractors, including foundation, pipeline and tank installation, drillers
• Remediation contractors

Pollution liability insurance is also recommended for certain design professionals, environmental contractors and consultants and owners or sponsors of construction projects. It provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability claims, as well as coverage for clean-up costs.

Separate pollution liability coverage must be purchased because pollution liability is typically excluded under a general liability policy. Independent contractors are often required by their customers to provide proof of pollution liability coverage before starting work on a job. And more importantly, you need pollution liability coverage to protect your business against the devastating costs of lawsuits and environmental clean-up that can result if someone is injured or property is damaged as a result of your work with a toxic substance.

Are you a contractor with potential pollution liability exposures? We work with several insurance companies who provide contractors insurance and pollution liability coverage. Tell us about the kind of work you do, and contact us today to learn how we can help.